STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Lilykind · Hermes

can i hand wash these items?

calico · Kenneth Cole

I can't say for sure, but I handwash anything and everything that I have that has a "dry clean only" tag on it, and I have never had any problems (this includes two cashmere sweaters and a pair of wool pants, and also a silk cami, among others). That said, for the things that you really really aren't sure about, I wouldn't want to risk it. Maybe you could get one of those at-home dry clean kits to be safe- you would still save loads of money on dry-cleaning. It sucks because dry clean only clothes are always the best.

Liz · Kenneth Cole

I don't know much about dry cleaning, but I went on fabriclink.com for you and this is how they broke it down.

RAYON

Most rayon garments should be dry-cleaned, but some types of fabric and garment construction are such that they can be hand or machine washed. For washable items, use the following as a guide:

Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article.

Smooth or shake out the article and place on a non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be laid flat to dry.

Press the article while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used.

Between wearings, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron.

SILK

Only pre-washed silk is washable. Read the label!

Dry cleaning is generally preferred, since laundering detergent and dyes in other clothes may adversely affect silk fabric.
For washable silk, follow the care instructions carefully.
For items without linings and without embellishments attached, careful handwashing is permissable, with mild soap and lukewarm water.
Chlorine bleach should never be used on silk.
For long-time storage, silk should be sealed against light, air and insects.Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article.

I found this at http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,735352,00.html

The care label may read “dry clean only,” but hand washing a cashmere turtleneck will actually make it softer over time. Be sure to use baby shampoo or a mild detergent like Woolite or Essence. Press out the excess water, but do not wring the sweater. Instead, lay it flat on a towel and reshape it as it dries. Fold to store. To avoid a line running down the middle of the sweater, fold each side of the sweater inward by a third. Smooth the arms down, and fold in half. Never hang a cashmere sweater — it will cause shoulder dimples, and the pull of gravity will distort the overall shape.

HTH!

ETA: The bottom of the Real Simple website has a link to more handwashing tips, and says do NOT wash dry clean only silks! And some stuff regarding wool.

Washable Wool

Hand-Washing Tips

If a wool garment says dry clean only, you’re washing it at your own risk, meaning you have no recourse if it gets damaged. That said, many wool garments with a dry clean label can in fact be washed by hand without any problem.

Never use chlorine bleach.

An EASY CARE label means a garment can be washed in any machine on a gentle cycle. While front-loading machines with wool cycles are fine for some wools, says Jane Rising, the only washer endorsed by the international industry association Woolmark in the U.S. is Whirlpool’s Duet.

Use a high-efficiency detergent, like Tide HE.

If its label says total easy care, a garment can be tumble dried, says Woolmark vice president Carl Brescia.

Otherwise, lay items flat on a mesh rack to dry—unless you’re ready to bequeath your favorite V-neck to your five-year-old, whom it will fit to a tee when it comes out of the dryer.

-- Edited by Liz at 00:59, 2006-01-30

atlgirl · Gucci

My general understanding of care tags is that if it says "dry clean only" then that's the only way you should have it cleaned. If it says "dry clean" then you can attempt to handwash. No guarantees, though...unfortunately.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

the editors and cardiwrap can be done with dryel (I do them both that way all the time and it's fine). The vince cashmere can be handwashed with woolite. HTH!

ejc423 · Coach

Lilykind, I have read in multiple sources that you should hand wash cashmere instead of dry cleaning it because the dry-cleaning chemicals can actually damage the fabric, causing the cashmere to become "flat". So I think you are definitely safe with the cashmere.

I'd probably wash the cashmere sweaters, the cardi-wrap, and the wool express pants. Just make sure you don't use hot water--just lukewarm. And make sure the detergent you use is safe for those fabrics. I feel like I remember reading something ant-woolite, but I can't remember exactly. Don't ring them out--just press them between two towels to remove excess water, reshape them, and lay them flat to dry.

I'd definitley send the alvin valley pants and the silk dress to the cleaners.

NCshopper · Hermes

atlgirl wrote:

My general understanding of care tags is that if it says "dry clean only" then that's the only way you should have it cleaned. If it says "dry clean" then you can attempt to handwash. No guarantees, though...unfortunately.

This is what I've always heard too. In your situation, I'd take the two pairs of AV pants in to get dry cleaned since replacing those would be super expensive. With the other stuff, I'd hand wash it or use Dryel or just take it to the cleaners when you can.

Also, a lot of dry cleaners run specials pretty frequently, so just keep your eyes peeled.

bex · Chanel

ejc423 wrote:

Lilykind, I have read in multiple sources that you should hand wash cashmere instead of dry cleaning it because the dry-cleaning chemicals can actually damage the fabric, causing the cashmere to become "flat". So I think you are definitely safe with the cashmere. I'd probably wash the cashmere sweaters, the cardi-wrap, and the wool express pants. Just make sure you don't use hot water--just lukewarm. And make sure the detergent you use is safe for those fabrics. I feel like I remember reading something ant-woolite, but I can't remember exactly. Don't ring them out--just press them between two towels to remove excess water, reshape them, and lay them flat to dry. I'd definitley send the alvin valley pants and the silk dress to the cleaners.

these are the items i chose as well. i always handwash my cashmere so you are safe there... i would choose to dry-clean the AV pants and the dress as well. everything else i would handwash!